In Romania, the issuing and execution of the request for international judicial cooperation in criminal matters is under the competence of the courts and prosecution offices. Moreover, there are the following Central Authorities for international judicial cooperation in criminal matters:
Ministry of Justice – for extradition, European arrest warrant, transfer of sentenced persons, financial penalties etc, as well as for mutual legal assistance and EIO, during trial stage.
Prosecutor’s Office of the High Court of Cassation and Justice – for MLA requests and EIO during criminal prosecution and for transfer of proceedings in criminal matters.
Ministry of Internal Affairs – for extracts from criminal records.
The judicial cooperation in criminal matters with the EU Member States is based on the principles of mutual recognition and direct contact between the judicial authorities. Direct contact is the rule for EAW and MLA requests with EU Member States and with countries parties to the second additional protocol to the European Convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters. However, for some mutual recognition instruments, such as Council Framework Decision 2008/909/JHA, Council Framework Decision 2005/214/JHA the certificates have to be sent to the Ministry of Justice.
Since 2004, in the website of the MoJ is available an e-Guide on international judicial cooperation in criminal matters and a entire section where the Romanian judges and prosecutors may find useful information (treaties, list of ratifications, declarations, etc.), in Romanian language: http://www.just.ro/despre/cooperare-judiciara-internationala-in-materie-penala/. Moreover, the section "Judicial cooperation" of the MoJ website contains useful handbooks and manuals.